Lunch: Curried Red Kidney Beans and Cauliflower (Rajma Masala) Recipe | Myrecipes

This Indian-inspired curried bean dish makes for a hearty vegetarian meal, especially when served with a helping of brown rice. The red kidney beans boast a host of nutritional benefits; the ginger helps your body make the most of those benefits.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Lemon, Brown Rice

Health benefits of Curried Red Kidney Beans and Cauliflower (Rajma Masala) Recipe | Myrecipes

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form. Brown rice is a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 cinnamon stick (2-in.)
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 tablespoon ginger
1 teaspoon fennel
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
3 green cardamom pods, cracked open
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1 can (14.5-oz.) whole peeled plum tomatoes, without juice
1 serrano chile, stemmed, seeded, and minced
About 1 tsp. salt
6 cups cooked red kidney beans (about four 14-oz. cans), rinsed and drained
1/2 head cauliflower, cut into 1/2- to 1-in. florets
1 to 1 1/2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro sprigs, coarsely chopped
6 to 8 cups hot cooked brown rice (see Notes)

Instructions

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed 4- to 5-qt. pot or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and fry, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly softened. Stir in cinnamon, bay leaf, garlic, ginger, fennel, cumin, and cardamom and fry, stirring, 2 minutes. Add cayenne, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala and fry, stirring, 1 minute. Shred tomatoes into pot with your fingers. Stir in serrano chile, salt, kidney beans, cauliflower, and 1 1/2 cups water. Lower heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, or until cauliflower is tender and liquid has thickened into a velvety-looking sauce (add more water if necessary).
Season beans with salt. Stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Serve hot over brown rice, with plain yogurt on the side if you like.
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving of curry.

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